By Janet Simon
As the Caribbean observes Nutrition Day 2026 under the theme “Healthy Eating, Active Living: Promoting Caribbean Foods as Medicine,” we are reminded that nutrition is far more than what appears on our plates.
The COVID-19 pandemic reminded us not only of the uniqueness of farm-to-table living, but also the autonomy and security it provides. As access to imported fruits, vegetables and other foods became increasingly uncertain, many families across the region embraced the cultivation of small gardens, not simply as a means of earning income, but as a way of feeding their households and sustaining their wellbeing.
For many, this marked a return to our roots. A deep connection to the notion that the soil does more than produce food; it nourishes, heals and restores. Before preventive health became mainstream, our communities recognized the medicinal value of locally grown foods, solidifying the connection between nutrition, livelihood and longevity. Even more, the act of simply engaging in this way of living brought communities closer together. This year’s theme challenges us to revisit that understanding and see nutrition not merely through the lens of consumption, but also consider prevention, reclaiming, healthier, traditional ways of living.
For decades, our region has carried one of the world’s highest burdens of non-communicable diseases (NCDs). These illnesses are not only affecting adults; they are also reshaping the futures of our youth. Across the region, childhood obesity continues to rise alongside increased consumption of ultra-processed foods and sugar-sweetened beverages. Within our Caribbean community, we see more residents gravitating from consuming healthier foods to convenience foods as a result of rising food costs, hectic lifestyles and increasingly aggressive yet attractive marketing tactics on ultra processed products and sugar sweetened beverages. Moreover, research consistently links excessive sugar intake and poor diets to higher risks of obesity and NCDs later in life.
At a recent panel during the United Nations Transforming Education Summit, I issued a stark reminder that health and education are inseparable. Communities burdened by illness cannot fully prosper.
With this reality at hand across the region, governments have been responding. Countries have introduced or strengthened school nutrition standards, food policies, school feeding programs, invested in local farming endeavors and have introduced or began working on policies that support sugar-sweetened beverage (SSB) taxation. These actions have proven necessary to improve food environments. We must acknowledge however that nutritious foods remain expensive for families already navigating socio-economic pressures. Communities are in need of safe spaces to exercise and create sustainable gardens. Our children require access to school gardens, feeding programs and environments where health takes center stage.
We must become more proactive than reactive. It starts with acknowledging that families live with generations of NCDs, yet conversations around risk often occur only after illness appears. Knowledge of family history should inspire earlier screening, stronger nutrition education and preventive support that diminishes fear of diagnosis. We must continue to engage key stakeholders to include community nutritionists, primary healthcare providers and health educators. Community health fairs, school wellness programs, nutrition consultations and physical activity initiatives should become regular features of community life.
As we observe Caribbean Nutrition Month, we should consider the extent to which we are building communities where healthy choices are realistic, affordable and sustained. Our region deserves systems not just guided by modern practices but also that of sustainable traditional practices that support healthy growth and development for generations to come.
Janet Simon is a CARICOM Youth Ambassador from Antigua and Barbuda, dedicated to advancing healthy school environments, nutrition education, and youth development throughout the Caribbean.
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